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Nanotechnology and Workplace Safety and Health

September 2004

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2004-175

Nanomaterials present new challenges to understanding, predicting and managing potential health risks. They may interact with the human body in different ways than more conventional materials, due to their extremely small size. For example, studies have established that the comparatively large surface area of inhaled nanoparticles can increase their toxicity. Such small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and may move to other parts of the body, including the liver and brain.